Sonoma for kids
Think Sonoma, and you probably think of wine tasting. And it’s no wonder, this California county has more than 400 wineries, ranging from simple and rustic to downright luxurious. The tasting rooms buzz with knowledgeable staff, local wine buffs and tourists in shorts offering their views on the prolifically produced beverage.
Couple this wine enthusiasm with California sunshine and farm-to-table dining, and you have a recipe for a dream holiday.
But wait – what about the children? Can you holiday in one of the world’s top wine regions with kids?
Of course!
Just 45 minutes north of San Francisco, Sonoma County has lots to offer both adults and children. There are towering Redwood forests to explore, meandering rivers to paddle, miles of rugged Pacific coastline to hike and Bay Area back roads to cycle.
Sonoma County is known for being down-to-earth and having a lot of personality. One local told me: “My heart is in Sonoma, but my wallet is in Napa.”
We recently visited courtesy of Sonoma County Tourism to find out exactly how to keep kids happy while mum and dad enjoy themselves too. Below are our top suggestions.
1. Go on an African Safari in the “Sonoma Serengeti”
Impress the kids by taking them on an authentic African safari, right in the heart of wine country! Safari West is home to nearly 800 animals and you can see them up close on a guided open-top tour through the 400-acres of rolling foothills, which is fondly referred to as the “Sonoma Serengeti”.
The 3-hour tour starts with a walk through the lower grounds, where you admire De Brazza’s monkeys, Serval cats and Cheetahs. The highlight is a walk through the aviary and having cranes, flamingos and Sadle-billed storks surround you.
But it gets really interesting when small groups are ushered into African safari open-topped trucks for a drive through the gated enclosures. You see giraffes, zebras, antelope, Watusi cattle, Wildabeasts, rhinoceros and more.
You can make your visit even more special by staying in the African tent camp in luxury tents and sleeping under the gaze of giraffes! You can dine each evening with a California-style BBQ. What makes this place so special is getting up close to the animals. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
2. Kayak down the Russian River
What could be better than getting a little exercise while exploring the great outdoors? Try a kayaking trip down the Russian River, surrounded by wildlife and towering redwoods.
I’ve canoed down the Russian River several times before – you can rent canoes and make your own way down the river in about 5 hours. Kayaking is much faster (a kayak cuts the water and sits lower – thus able to better navigate head winds). If you’re not an expert, a guided tour is a good choice for families where abilities can vary greatly.
We signed up for a 3-hour, 8.8-mile kayak tour with Getaway Adventures, a Sonoma firm that offers custom outdoor activities for all levels. In addition to the two guides, we were joined by a couple celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary. Randy, the owner, quickly assessed our skills (I think he was a bit optimistic) and they gave us instruction and assigned kayaks.
Sadly we had a couple “kayak divorces” — after my middle daughter and I somehow got stuck on the bank in a Bay bush covered in grapes and spiders. Luckily Randy brought several different styles of kayaks, and we switched them around a bit and found a combination that worked for the whole group. The guides were very good about motivating us to finish the entire route. 8.8 miles was tiring and the girls were exhausted (and slept soundly). But my glass of wine that evening was well-earned.
3. Go wine tasting (while the kids swim and try smoothies)
Everyone who knows me knows I love the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Why? Because there’s a gorgeous swimming pool with luxury blue and white padded lounge chairs and cabana boys that will bring you whatever you want, including Francis’ excellent wine!
You can officially taste a “flight” of wine too. Or visit the museum, which houses movie memorabilia that includes his Oscars, some shooting scripts, the desk from the Godfather. Or play Bocce ball. Or just have lunch while lounging by the pool. The kids will have loads of fun. They can swim, taste smoothies, grab a book from the teepee and generally put up with the adults.
Did I tell you I love this place?
You can find a full list of Sonoma’s family-friendly wineries here.
4. Visit the “Snoopy Museum” & go ice skating
Peanuts fans will love the Charles M. Schultz Museum and Research Center where you can admire – and giggle – at original displays of Schultz’s art work. The museum has more than 7,000 original strips and covers Schultz’s life and inspirations. There’s a Snoopy Labyrinth, sculpture by Japanese artist Yoshiteru Otani, and an original nursery wall painted by Schultz in the 1950s.
After visiting the museum, go ice skating next door at the Snoopy Ice Rink and have lunch at the Warm Puppy Cafe. The museum is adjacent to the Snoopy Ice Rink and Children’s Museum of Sonoma County – so you could spend an afternoon visiting all three!
5. Inspire creativity at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
The Children’s Museum’s mission is to inspire children’s creativity and stimulate their curiosity to discover the world through playful exploration of the arts and sciences. It’s a dream place to visit for the under 10s. The grounds are gorgeous and the hands-on exhibits, like the fishing pond, are fun to do and teach children about the environment as well.
Where to stay? The Flamingo Hotel and Resort
What a find! The Flamingo Hotel and Resort is centrally located in Santa Rosa and was a popular romantic getaway in the 1950s. With strong ties to Hollywood and Las Vegas – the neon pink Flamingo sign is an exact replica of the famous Las Vegas Flamingo – you could often find movie stars like Jane Mansfield sunning themselves by the Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Now the pool is full of families that use the resort as a base to explore Sonoma wine country. It’s a great set up. The Terrace Bar and Grill is poolside – so you can have a leisurely dinner (and yes, continue wine tasting if you must). When the kids finish eating they can sneak off and swim and still be in view.
Many of the rooms at the Flamingo are recently renovated. They are modern, streamlined, very clean and have coffee-making facilities, large TVs (I personally hate this, but I know others like it) and a fridge. There’s a continental breakfast buffet with cereals, yogurt, bagels and loads and loads of fresh fruit. We had honeydew melon and fresh Bing cherries that tasted like summer.
But the best part about the hotel is the price. Newly remodeled Superior rooms range from $119 weekdays to $199 weekend nights in summer. A bargain!
Sonoma for kids: For more information
Sonoma County Tourism 3637 Westwind Blvd. Santa Rosa, CA 95403 +1 707-522-5800 sonomacounty.com — A great resource for planning your trip to Sonoma County.
Our accommodation and activities were organised and provided by Sonoma County and their partners. All opinions are my own and my family’s.
More tips for visiting California with kids
About Susanna Scott
Susanna Scott founded the BritMums social network in 2008 after a career in marketing. She wanted to create a space for parent bloggers to network, and share ideas and opportunities. She is often quoted as a pioneer in the UK Mum Blogging space, and has been named a top female entrepreneur. She has been featured in The Times, The FT, The Independent, The Guardian, The Sun, Technorati, She, Primo Baby and Red magazine, amongst others. She speaks frequently about blogging, social networking and the BritMums community at industry events. Her blog A Modern Mother ranks in the UK’s top 10 Family Tarvel Blogs. Follow her on @amodernmother.
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